Facebook for the HP TouchPad is a smart, tablet-centric spin on the Facebook app that boasts some cool new features, but is curiously lacking in others.

The HP TouchPad ($499-$599, 4 stars) is finally here, and with it a Facebook app, created by HP and built right into the tablet. I know that doesn't sound particularly groundbreaking, but consider this: Along with the BlackBerry PlayBook ($499-$699, 2.5 stars), the HP TouchPad is now only the second tablet to feature a dedicated Facebook app. And what a Facebook app it is. Using the TouchPad's large 9.7-inch display to full effect, this is the most highly interactive version of Facebook we've ever seen. It's still missing some major features like Chat and Groups, and takes some getting used to, but it'll more than do the trick to scratch your social networking itch.

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Setup and Learning Curve
Since the app already comes built into the TouchPad, no real setup process is necessary. Simply tap your way over to the App Launcher and click on Facebook Tablet. Upon opening it for the first time, all you have to do is enter your Facebook username and password and choose the frequency and type of notifications you'd like to receive. Once that's done you're good to go.

The first thing you'll notice about the TouchPad's Facebook app is that it doesn't look like any of the other mobile Facebook apps out there (or like the PlayBook's Facebook app, which is extremely similar to the mobile apps). This version of Facebook is almost like a cross between what you see on the desktop and the apps available on iOS and Android. It's mighty good looking, but using it takes some getting used to.

The left side of the screen contains all of the familiar Facebook functions we've come to know and love (or hate): News Feed (incorrectly spelled as "Newsfeed" in a minor gaffe), Messages, Events, Places, Friends, and Photos. If you're a Facebook fiend, you'll notice that this list is missing two crucial features: Chat and Groups, but I'll get to that later. Clicking on any of the categories on the left side of the screen will promptly open the corresponding feature. But once that happens the toolbar on the left side of the screen disappears. Where'd it go? I wasn't sure at first. After a couple of minutes of tapping and swiping around I figured it out. You have to swipe the bottom left hand corner of the screen over to reveal the toolbar again.

Even though I didn't pick up on this immediately, it makes sense. By removing the toolbar from the screen, you're gaining valuable real estate, which many of the functions make great use of. At first the app is full of little moments like this, when you're not entirely sure of how to get around. But once you're used to using the app, all that tapping starts to feels quite intuitive, and actually gives you a deeper sense of social interaction than you typically encounter in other Facebook apps.

Interactivity and New Features
Touchscreens are made for touching, swiping, and tapping, but Facebook was originally conceived as a desktop experience. Since moving over to mobile phones and now to tablets, it has become increasingly more interactive. The TouchPad app takes that feeling of interactivity one step further.

Tapping on the News Feed, for instance, brings up a feed filled with all your friends' most recent activities, which will look familiar to any Facebook user, regardless of platform. But tapping on an individual status is where things get interesting. One tap will open up a window on the right side of the screen, displaying the status along with the options to Like it or leave a comment. Double tapping on the status will blow it up full screen, giving you some more room to think before you type.

I particularly like the way photos are handled. Tapping directly on a photo will open it up in a new window, displaying the photo full screen over a black background. The bottom of the screen features thumbnails of other photos in that album, and icons on the top right of the screen allow you to easily tag the photo, Like it, or leave a comment.

About the Author

Alex Colon is the managing editor of PCMag's consumer electronics team. He holds a Bachelor's Degree in English Writing and Literature from Pace University and got his start editing books before deciding technology would probably be a lot more fun.
Though he does the majority of his reading and writing on various digital displays, Alex still l... See Full Bio

Facebook (for HP TouchPad)

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